After returning to the national team for the first time since the World Cup, Messi is under pressure once again with the Albiceleste.

With friendlies against Venezuela in Madrid first and then a clash with Morocco to follow, the stakes are relatively low, but Menotti admits he is concerned about the Barcelona superstar’s mental wellbeing.

“It scares me that Messi plays. I see him emotionally fatigued between the Champions League and the national team,” Menotti said.

“I see him very tired. He has a lot of obligations and with a lot of emotional baggage, a lot of responsibilities at his feet.”

“It is a joy that Messi returns. I have to try to have the team accompany him and ensure he has the best of himself. Hopefully with the return of Messi the team will be strengthened.” said the former West Ham loanee.

“We hope Messi can bring the best out of his team-mates. We need them to give something extra so we can be a great team.

“We want them to realise that they are great players and that they need to step up so Argentina can return to the level that it once had in the past. It’s not Messi who has to step up.”